Brand Name

Starlix {Novartis}

Generic Name

nateglinide, pronounced na ta GLYE nide

What is Starlix?

Starlix is an oral diabetes medication for people with type 2 diabetes. Starlix can help to control your blood sugar levels by helping your body respond better to insulin produced by your pancreas. Starlix should not be used to treat patients with type 1 diabetes.

Starlix may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts about Starlix

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Starlix, as it can lower your blood sugar.

Starlix is in FDA pregnancy category C. You should not use Starlix if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or nursing. We do not yet know the effects Starlix has on an unborn baby. Because we do not know if Starlix passes into breast milk you should not breast-feed while taking Starlix.

You should always keep a source of sugar available in case you experience symptoms of low blood sugar. Sources of sugar include hard candy, orange juice, glucose gel, or milk.

Starlix is only a part of a complete program of treatment to help your blood sugar condition. Your doctor may prescribe a treatment plan for you which may include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, and dental care, as well as regular testing of your blood sugar. You should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

You will need to check your blood sugar often, particularly during a time of illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, skip meals or are under great stress. These factors can affect your glucose levels. Tell your doctor if your levels are not where they should be and you may need a dose adjustment of Starlix. Your doctor will decide if you need a dosage change, and how much of a change you may need. Do not attempt to change your dose of Starlix without consulting your doctor first.

Before You Take Starlix

If you are allergic to nateglinide you should not take Starlix.

If you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis or if you have type 1 diabetes you should not take Starlix.

If you have liver disease you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Starlix.

Tell your doctor if you have gout before starting treatment with Starlix.

Starlix Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications, as they may make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar:

• beta-blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran) and sotalol (Betapace)

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications, as they may make you more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if taken with Starlix:

• antifungal medications like fluconazole (Diflucan), miconazole (Oravig) and voriconazole (Vfend)
• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol)
• blood pressure medications like Accupril, Altace, (Cordarone, Lotensin, Pacerone, Prinivil, Vasotec and Zestril
• blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin)
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• oral diabetes medications like acarbose (Precose), metformin (Glucophage), miglitol (Glyset), pioglitazone (Actos), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Gantanol, Septra)

The following medications may be more likely to cause you to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you take Starlix with them:

• asthma or allergy medications
• birth control pills or other hormones
• cold medications
• diuretics or water pills
• heart or blood pressure medications (Cartia, Cardizem, Nifedical, Covera, Verelan)
• isoniazid
• niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Niaspan, Simcor and Slo-Niacin)
• phenothiazine (Compazine)
• seizure medicines like Dilantin
• somatropins (Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Nutropin, Omnitrope, Saizen, Serostim, Zorbtive)
• steroids (prednisone)
• thyroid medications like Synthroid

You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Starlix

You should take Starlix exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Starlix in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Starlix is usually taken approximately 30 minutes before your meals, three times daily. If you skip a meal, do not take your dose of Starlix. Wait until your next meal to take your next dose.

Take Starlix with a full glass of water.

While you are taking Starlix you will need to have your blood sugar checked regularly. Plan to see your doctor often to be sure that Starlix is working for you. You should know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. These signs are headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, or trouble concentrating.

Starlix is part of a complete program of treatment that your doctor may have prescribed for you. This program may include may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and regular monitoring of your blood sugar. You should follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Starlix should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Starlix you should attempt to take the missed dose only if you are getting ready to eat a meal. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose with a meal you should skip the dose you missed.

Starlix Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Starlix and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• jaundice
• seizures

Less serious Starlix side effects may include:

• back pain
• cold symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose and sneezing
• coughing
• diarrhea
• flu like symptoms
• joint pain or stiffness
• nausea

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Starlix. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Starlix Description and Dosing

Starlix is available in available in tablets of 60 mg and 120 mg. The 60 mg tablets are pink, round, beveled edge and have “Starlix” debossed on one side and “60” on the other side. The 120 mg tablets are yellow, ovaloid and have “Starlix” debossed on one side and “120” on the other side.

Your doctor will decide what dose of Starlix is right for you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Starlix you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Starlix

The main ingredient in Starlix is Nateglinide. Other inactive ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxides (red or yellow), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, talc, and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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